Observing a Rhythm in Nature
I love it when the simple things in life bring me joy and our new bird feeder is doing just that!
My adult son is responsible for keeping the feeders clean and full. The look on his face when he watches the many colorful birds eating the seeds is most delightful.
I think we both benefit from the birds and our cool squirrel-busting feeder in several ways. Being still and observing the natural world has an immediate calming effect on my mind and body.
I’ve become familiar with the feathered Winter regulars in our wooded yard. We have a full-time resident Robin and a gorgeous Red-bellied Woodpecker, both of which have terrific personalities and are challenging to photograph.
Interacting with nature is a fine way to pass time.
Sometimes, I am sure that without a spirit-renewing connection in nature, my personal survival would be threatened. I wouldn’t be able to take all the pain or sadness.
Like the resident Robin and the bright-eyed pretty little Towhees, a heavy heart has been a regular Winter visitor of mine. Spring will bring different birds and hopefully, my heart will be a little lighter.
Life is challenging. I need ways to get away from sadness and grief. I need to feel other emotions and think about things like what the Robin is doing or ‘who’ is nesting on the ground under a very neat and Hobbit-like house made from leaves, sticks and twigs.
Nature is amazing. An early morning sunlight shines brightly on the bark of the bare trees. I am aware that each one will soon grow green leaves again. Morning songbirds eat Sunflower seeds and the Crows come calling like they own the place.
There’s a rhythm to it all. It makes sense.
Thanks for your visit to DogKisses!
Related articles
- The Winter Resident (greenhealinggirl.wordpress.com)
DOGKISSES 
Posted by alwaysjan on April 1, 2013 at 11:02 PM
My life has been so crazy that I’m afraid it’s been a while since I’ve stopped by. I, too, find it utterly calming to watch a spider spinning its web or the birds nesting on top of our arbor. (We shut the gate ever so quietly.) I saw a hummingbird in the morning on my way to visit family in Michigan. They’ve had a very gray winter there, but there I saw a robin and realized how “rare” they are in California. Then there were the chickadees. Very different birds than I’m used to. Nature has its own rhythm and just sitting and watching always makes my heart feel lighter.
LikeLike
Posted by Michelle B. on April 2, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Hi Jan! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. I’m always glad to see your picture, and of course, to hear from you, so no apologies necessary. I haven’t been able to read blogs much for several months and I miss that very much. Hopefully, things will change for me soon.
Birds are apparently going to places they don’t usually go to, which I guess, is part of our weird weather. I love the Chickadees! I love hearing them chirp, but also, I think they are definitely some of the cutest of all birds with their little black ‘hats’.
I’m pretty amazed at how I fell in love with bird watching. Just wait ’til I get some new glasses! I might go crazy with excitement 🙂
I hope you are doing well, and the “crazy” part of your life is on the positive side of things. Maybe I’ll treat myself to a trip to your planet soon!
Warmly,
Michelle.
LikeLike
Posted by czbz on March 1, 2013 at 12:32 AM
I love the pictures of your residents in flight! They bring a smile to my face and lift my heart, too. Winter has been incredibly cold making it miserable to even go outside. So I look forward to the spring tulips and daffodils and birds singing in the budding cherry tree.
Your post was a delight to read tonight. Thank you!
Love,
CZ
LikeLike
Posted by Michelle on March 1, 2013 at 8:54 AM
Hi CZ! I’m so glad that you saw the pretty birds!
Winter is still hanging on here. One day is warm, and then the night brings ice! How weird.
I’m especially in need of springtime this year. I need to get sunlight. I look forward to sharing a few photos of any critters I see.
Thanks so much for reading my post.
Love,
Michelle.
LikeLike
Posted by czbz on March 1, 2013 at 7:04 PM
I’m taking some online classes which keep me pretty busy and my computer is in my basement office which means I don’t see birds or clouds for that matter. I’ll have to rely on you as my nature guide. ha!
Birds are mysteriously uplifting…as you wrote, they make your heart feel lighter.
AND, did you know that the hummingbird is the ‘animal’ of my heart? I had my animal cards read once and that’s what she told me. Maybe that’s another reason why your post pulled me out of my head and made me feel better. I don’t know why but it was just the thing I needed to see and read last night.
Love,
Carolyn
LikeLike
Posted by Michelle on March 12, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Hi CZ,
Well, you know, I could provide much more in the way of photos on this blog, but if I shared as much as I wanted to, there would be a constant stream of images. I love sharing what I see in nature.
I keep learning that Nature is just the way it is. Sometimes, I want things to happen and am disappointed when they don’t.
I watched a Robin for many Winter weeks. Then, a flock came! They ate all the berries. I thought they were here to stay and make some babies, but they left! They went on to another place and I was so surprised, after all the caring for and feeding I had offered.
Mourning Doves came too, and I may have scared them away with my camera.
Even as I will try to contain myself with my little camera when I see such beauty, I’m sure I’ll have more photos and I hope they bring you light while you study.
I bet you have a photo or two around you in your basement? Ha! You have your own underground Ivory Tower.
Hummingbirds are awesome and such a nice “animal of your heart.” I knew you liked the Dragonfly and I can see where these two beautiful beings would be together in the context of animal medicine or totems.
I had my cards read once too, but I don’t remember if one specific animal was pointed out to me. The woman who read the cards said all of my animals were birds. My life has pointed to the Butterfly. They keep returning to me. I also love the lizards, turtles and frogs.
Good luck and many blessings to you in your academic endeavor. You are such a powerful woman and most inspiring! Thank you for your visit my friend, and for commenting on my photos.
Love,
Michelle.
LikeLike
Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on February 25, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Michelle, what another delightful visitor to your garden and yes Spring will soon be here and with it I hope more lightness to your heart dear friend…
I love how you have arranged your photo’s in circles lovely addition to your post…
Sending you my thoughts and healing energy as always,.. Lots of Love ~Sue xox
LikeLike
Posted by Michelle on February 25, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Hi Sue,
You know, we will change our
clocks(spring forward) in just a few more days (I think on March 10 or 11)! I can’t wait!We took Ruthie for a walk yesterday after my day of photographing all those birds. I woke up at 5am and waited. I had such a low mood, but after being with the birds, running away a few predators, and truly, interacting with the nature in my own yard, my mood and spirit lifted, so our walk at the end of the day was magical.
Thank you so much for your comments. I love them.
I hope you are doing well and that very soon, I am able to communicate more by reading my favorite blogs. I miss my visits to your Sanctuary.
With Love,
your friend, Michelle.
LikeLike
Posted by Sue Dreamwalker on February 25, 2013 at 10:34 AM
So glad to hear that Nature lifted your spirits, Nature has a way of healing,, Please remember to ask for that dear Michelle…. Sit with a tree and ask…. you will not be disappointed… I think my last post may be on interest to you Michelle… And Im only ever a thought and a click away 😉 … Love Sue
LikeLike